31 October 2019

Newsletter Articles

Principal’s News

Last Friday we farewelled the Year 12’s from formal lessons with a delicious breakfast. As is customary the students then departed for the day with a lap of the oval. What a memorable end to the year as they are now into their final preparations for exams or their last assessment tasks. We wish them all the very best for these next few weeks and into the future.

A reminder that attendance is crucial despite it being Term 4. Already we have 32% of our students absent for more than 1 day this term. Whilst we acknowledge that students should stay at home if they are ill, regular attendance is important for planned learning experiences, sequences of instruction and class participation.

Thank you to the SSO’s for providing afternoon tea for teachers in acknowledgement of World Teachers Day last Friday. It was very much appreciated.

As part of the continual improvement at Gladstone High School, our annual surveys are conducted to seek parent opinions on how the school is progressing toward meeting the varying needs of students, parents and staff.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated and very important to our ongoing self-review processes. Staff and students are also surveyed anonymously.

There are two options to complete this survey.

1. Complete it online using the web link and access code provided. https://www.schoolsurvey.edu.au/s/PhgRgjAK
2. You can request a paper copy of the survey that will need to be returned to the office staff of the school or by post by the closing date.

Gladstone High School
PO BOX 70
Gladstone SA 5473

In the next couple of weeks, we will be advertising for a Canteen Manager and a Farm Manager. If you are interested in either of these positions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at the school.

A reminder November 15th is a Student Free Day as we review our Site Improvement Plan and analyse school data in preparation for 2020.

Tyler Hogan
Principal

Spotlight On, Stage 2 Material Products

Thomas Marheine designed and built this outdoor table and bench. Designed with some Hamptons styling, this table features a stained top with inlayed aluminium strips. Well done Thomas!

Nic Palmer built this mudroom cabinet. Made from oak veneer and jarrah, it is designed to store coats, boots and hats, while giving a spot to sit down. Well done Nic!

Chelsea Tobin designed and built this farmhouse style queen bed. The meranti frame is held together using mortise and tenon joinery and the base features hidden drawers. Well done Chelsea.

Spotlight on, Stage 2 Woodwork and Metalwork

Mackenzie Meaney designed and built this outdoor lounge and bar set. The lounge is based on an Adirondack design with an added box to fit a small esky for those lazy summer afternoons. His steel framed bar and stools feature recycled karri tops and angled legs for added stability. Well done Mackenzie!

Joel Zanker designed and built a stunning steel framed outdoor dining table. The framework consists of mitre joined steel tube and the top is recycled karri from a demolished shed. Well done Joel!
Joel also designed and built a retro queen bed with storage. The bed is constructed from oak veneer with karri ends and edging, with rounded corners and angled fronts completing the 60s styling. A truly practical project, well done Joel!

Spotlight on, Stage 2 Metalwork

Lachlan Hansen had a brief to design and construct an ATV trailer for rock picking. His final product is a practical tip trailer, by combining a scissor mechanism and multiple pulleys, Lachlan was able to drop the winch height while keeping a good tip angle. Well done Lachlan.

Year 10 Art

The Year 10's have been learning about tessellations and patterns within art, with a focus on Islamic art. They investigated different ways to make tessellations including using digital tools and have produced these artworks in response.

Medication in education and care services

Did you know that the Department for Education has introduced mandatory procedures in relation to medication in education and care settings?

It is your responsibility to provide the education or care service with medication and any administration equipment.

Where possible you should provide and collect your child’s medication in person. Where this is not possible safe methods of transport and transfer should be discussed and agreed with the education or care service.

All medication must be provided in an original pharmacy container and have a clear pharmacy label.

Medication cannot be administered in an education or care service without written advice from you on a Mediation Agreement. This includes pain relief medication.

If you have an unwell child that needs to seek medical referral for medication, it would be a great idea to take the Medication Agreement with you so that the education site can administer the correct dose at the correct time, as per the medical professionals direction.

An exception to this is where a doctor has completed an Individual First Aid Plan, or your child has been approved to administer their own through consultation with the site leader and their health professional.

Note From Student Counsellor

A pledge to my teenager – by Andrew Fuller from Tricky Teens

Dear Teen,

I am your parent. I am not your friend, pal, bestie, mate or BFF. I repeat, I am your parent.

This means that there are times that I will use the word ‘No’.

This means what it sounds like. You will not like it when I use this word.

Toughen up and get over it. There will be times that you will think you hate me. There will be times that you think I am the worst parent on earth. There may be times that you are right even though you won’t hear me admit it.

As a parent I am responsible for raising you to be a decent successful human being who treats themselves and others with tolerance and respect.

That is my job and I take it on willingly because I love you and want the best for you. This means that I will watch you with a level of surveillance that most intelligence agencies would envy. I will track you like a bloodhound. I will detect illicit or mind-altering substances with the intensity of a customs officer. I will scrutinise your love interests. I will check whether you have schoolwork to do and whether you are doing it to the best of your ability.

I will speak to your teachers without asking your permission. In fact, I will talk to whomsoever I please without your agreement.

I will call the parents of your friends at times, especially when there are parties.

In the house that I work to pay for, there will be rules. You will not like all of these rules. These rules are in place, so I do not go crazy while raising you.

You have the right to argue with me. You do not have the right to remain silent or brush me off with vague comments like ‘don’t know’, ‘as if’., or ‘that is so random’.

I’m sure we are going to get along just fine. Through all this, please know that I love you for who you are and will continue to do so even if you screw up.

Love,
Your parent

GHS Canteen Roster Weeks

Please arrive on time to help with preparation from 10.30am. If you are able to volunteer in any of the available spaces please contact the Front Office.

Community News

Gladstone Golf Club Bingo

First Tuesday of each month the Gladstone Golf Club holds a bingo night. Eyes down at 7.30pm. Bar facilities available with supper provided. The next bingo night is on Tuesday, November 5.

SOUTHERN FLINDERS NETBALL CLUB A.G.M

Monday 18th November 2019
7:30 pm at the Laura Complex

All players and members are welcome to attend.

Any queries contact Kelly on 0412 189 883 or Bern 0439 864 330